John Le Gay Brereton

Anzac Poem by John Le Gay Brereton

Within my heart I hear the cryOf loves that suffer, souls that die,And you may have no praise from meFor warfare's vast vulgarity;Only the flag of love, unfurledFor peace above a weeping world,I follow, though the fiery breathOf murder shrivel me in death.Yet here I stand and bow my headTo those whom other banners led,Because within their hearts the clangOf Freedom's summoning trumpets rang,Because they welcomed grisly painAnd laughed at prudence, mocked at gain,With noble hope and courage high,And taught our manhood how to die.Praise, praise and love be theirs who cameFrom that red hell of stench and flame,Staggering, bloody, sick, but stillStrong with indomitable will,Happy because, in gloomiest night,Their own hearts drummed them to the fight.